Process for the construction of underpasses and an abutment for use therein

ABSTRACT

A procedure for the installation of underpasses beneath existing road structures such as railroad structures is disclosed. The process permits the installation of suitable abutments and central pillars if necessary beneath existing road structures with a minimum delay in the traffic flow over the road structure. Abutments are first positioned beneath the road structure with the areas adjacent the top of the abutments being provided with fillers in the form of coverings covering that area of the abutments which is subsequently to receive superstructures for supporting the road structure. The fillers are provided to enable the building of additional superstructure supports on the said areas after the abutments have been placed in position. The fillers are of generally inverted U-shaped configuration thus providing working area beneath the fillers to enable the formation of the superstructure support. Additionally the disclosure provides prefabricated abutments or pillars for use during construction of wide underpasses beneath existing road structures which consist of a structural body having a more or less rectangular cross-section and having longitudinal hollow cavities, with an upper portion of the abutments being provided with notches or recesses to receive a portion of the superstructure, with those notches or recesses being covered by fillers during insertion of the abutments into the road bed with the fillers being removed during positioning of a bridge supporting superstructure.

United States Patent [191 Herth et al.

[451 Sept. 10, 1974 PROCESS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF UNDERPASSES AND AN ABUTMENT'FOR USE THEREIN [76] Inventors: Walter Herth, 2106 Bendestorf 339;

Theodor Musfeldt, 22 Besenbek. Post Elmshorn. both of Germany [22] Filed: Aug. 23, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 282,916

[52] US. Cl. 14/77 [51] Int. Cl EOld 19/02 [58] Field of Search 14/77, 75, 1

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 105,195 7/1870 Gregory 14/75 456,501 7/1891 Thomas 14/75 X 534,032 2/1895 Clymer 14/75 X 666,833 l/l901 Weldon 14/75 X 2,602,321 7/1952 Blair 14/755X 3,706,125 12/1972 Hopkins 14/77 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 434,335 4/1967 Switzerland 14/77 Primary Examiner-Nile C. Byers, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Kurt Kelman [57] ABSTRACT A procedure for the installation of underpasses beneath existing road structures such as railroad structures is disclosed. The process permits the installation of suitable abutments and central pillars if necessary beneath existing road structures with a minimum delay in the traffic flow over the road structure. Abutments are first positioned beneath the road structure with the areas adjacent the top of the abutments being provided with fillers in the form of coverings covering that area of the abutments which is subsequently to receive superstructures for supporting the road structure. The fillers are provided to enable the building of additional superstructure supports on the said areas after the abutments have been placed in position. The fillers are of generally inverted U-shaped configuration thus providing working area beneath the filler s to enable the formation of the superstructure support. Additionally the disclosure provides prefabricated abutments or pillars for use during construction of wide underpasses beneath existing road structures which consist of a structural body having a more or less rectangular cross-section and having longitudinal hollow cavities, with an upper portion of the abutments being provided with notches or recesses to receive a portion of the superstructure, with those notches or recesses being covered by fillers during insertion of the abutments into the road bed with the fillers being removed during positioning of a bridge supporting superstructure.

10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDSEH mam L sum 10F 2 sum 2 er 2 PROCESS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF UNDERPASSES AND AN ABUTMENT FOR USE THEREIN The invention relates to a process for constructing wide underpasses beneath existing road structures, particularly beneath existing railroad structures, according to which abutments and, if necessary, central pillars that are prefabricated are forced into the earth or ground beneath the road structure and a superstructure subsequently inserted and laid in position on the abutments and the pillars. This process enables traffic flow on the road to be maintained and the ground in the area of the respective abutments or pillar cross-sections removed simultaneously.

The term wide underpasses is meant to define such underpasses as cannot be constructed with the usual type of tunnelcasing that is forced ahead, and is used to define tunnels that are wider than approximately 16 meters.

The technique described immediately above and used for constructing tunnels, is already known from Eisenbahntechnische Rundschau, 1960, pages 2228.

In this prior procedure, the bridge plate or girders are laid on the abutments once these are moved into position under the existing road bed. Thus, with known procedures it is necessary to restrict or interrupt traffic on at least one track for a relatively long period of time, for at least the second phase of the construction operation, i.e., the positioning of the plate or the girders, since the bridge supports must be built and installed before the bridge plate is laid and positioned, this resulting in protracted delays in overall construction.

It is the object of the invention to provide improvements in processes of this type, namely to effect a considerable reduction in delays of this sort, and eliminate complete interruptions of traffic.

Using a process of the type described, a solution has been achieved according to the invention by the fact that filler elements in the form of coverings for the subsequent supporting area for the superstructure on the abutments or central pillars, respectively, are pushed into position simultaneously with the abutments and central pillars, and also by the fact that, as the following insertion of the superstructure into the supporting area progresses, the fillers are progressively removed.

Since the bridge supports or abutments can be set up to the exact design height before the insertion of the superstructure while traffic is moving at full capacity, and

because no gaps are caused by the sequential replacement of the filler elements on the supporting area by the superstructure, railroad operations need be only slightly disrupted during positioning of the superstructure.

It is advantageous if supports on the abutments for the superstructure can be installed after the abutments and the central pillars have been positioned and before the removal of the filler elements, with the building of the supports on the abutments being completed under the protection offered by these filler elements. Thus, the bridge supports can be constructed at the precise design height in the protection offered by the hollow space created by the filler elements, and this can be done at full traffic capacity, with trains running at full speed, whereby insertion of the superstructure is once again expedited to a considerable degree.

In addition the invention relates to a prefabricated abutment or pillar for use during the above-described procedure, the abutment or pillar consisting of an approximately right-angled structure that has longitudinal hollow cavities, and is characterized by the fact that in the area of the abutment or column that contains the superstructure supports a filler element or false support is arranged that extends from one end of the abutment or pillar to the other, and encompasses the crosssection of the area that is intended for the subsequent positioning of the superstructure.

It is advantageous that this filler element be of inverted U-shape section and rests on the supporting surface of the abutment or pillar with its open side down. This will ensure that the supports for the bridge plate or the bridge girders can be installed before the filler elements are removed. In this way, irregularities or differences in level that have occurred at some time during the positioning of the abutments can be corrected by suitable dimensioning of the supports that are installed beneath the filler elements.

During insertion of the bridge plate or the bridge girders, only the ground immediately in front of their front surfaces and between the filler elements or pillars, respectively, need be cleared, with the sides of the supporting area kept free of dirt by the filler elements.

In the case of central pillars which are used with very wide underpasses, a lower structural body and a pillar that has been placed in position initially form a casing which is then placed in position, as described above. Appropriately-dimensioned columns are then con-' structed in an open interior chamber, with these columns serving as the actual supports for the bridge plate or the bridge girders, after the filler elements have been removed; with the side members of the structural body being removed in the same way.

The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates in end elevation two abutments according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates in end elevation the two abutments of FIG. 1 with bridge plate or girder installed thereon;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged end elevation of the supporting area of an abutment structure as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view seen in the direction of arrow IV, of one abutment with a series of filler elements in position;

FIG. 5 illustrates in and elevation the positioning of three abutments used for the construction of very wide underpasses.

In the drawings, numeral 1 represents a superstructure in the form of a bridge plating or girder, numeral 2 represents the area of girder l in which the abutments 3 for the bridge girder are arranged; numeral 4 represents filler elements, and numeral 5 recesses provided in the abutments 3 that receive the edges of the superstructure 1. i

The filler element, shown in FIG. 4 consists of individual members 8 in order to simplify manipulation. Whether consisting of one piece 4 or individual members 8, the filler elements are of U-section and are positioned with their open sides facing downward by and against the supporting areas 9 of the abutments 3.

Slides 10 are arranged between the upright side arms of filler elements 4 and the upright sides of the recesses 5 as well as between the ends of the tiller elements side arms and support areas 9; these simplify the ejection of the fillers 4. The end wall of the abutment 3 is indicated by numeral 7.

The vertical slits that remain between the filler elements and the adjacent upright side of abutments 3 are preferably covered with safety plates 11; these latter plates being anchored in the abutments by bolts or the like as shown in FIG. 3.

In construction two abutments 3 are positioned in a road bed with a suitable intervening distance between them, as shown in FIG. 1, the lower portions of the abutments being sunk into the road bed. This lower portion has channels 12, that are at least wide enough to accommodate earth-moving equipment for removing earth during insertion of the abutments. The filler elements 4 are so dimensioned as to provide working areas in their open undersides. After the abutments have been sunk into position supports 6 for the girders are built under cover of the filler elements; then the superstructure 1 can be slid from one side into the recess of the abutments 3, the filler elements 4 being simultaneously removed from the other side. If the filler elements 4 are in the form shown in FIG. 4, i.e., in the form of several members 8, these members 8 are supported by a crane prior to their complete removal and, once completely removed they are lifted away. Thus there is nothing to prevent their use again in other abutments. The fact that they are in the form of relatively short sections is especially advantageous during transport.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary variation for underpasses of a width requiring the installation of central supports. In principle, a central abutment or pillar 3' is placed in position in the same manner as the two outer abutments 3, after which supports are erected in the form of columns 6 after the earth-moving equipment is finished. The columns 6' then support the central area of the superstructure in the same manner as supports 6.

The side arms of the abutments 3' can then be removed on the lines indicated at 13, while the base of the pillar 3 remains in place as a broad supporting foundation for the support 6'. It is self-evident that a suitably dimensioned central wall could be erected instead of the columnar support 6.

The U-shaped filler elements 4 that are shown in the drawings may, of course, be of other shapes, for example, a simple angle shape, of which a horizontal arm lies in suitable recesses in the abutment 3 or, as in FIG. 5, on one of the extended arms of the pillar 3.

In the case of central pillars 3, as shown in FIG. 5, the tiller elements can be a simple plate if the arms are appropriately long.

We claim:

1. A method for the construction of a wide underpass beneath a road over which traffic may continue to flow, comprising the steps of l. forcing at least two abutments in spaced apart relationship into the ground beneath the road, a. each abutment defining a space for support of portions of a superstructure bridging the abutments;

2. simultaneously forcing into the ground filler elements occupying said abutment spaces,

a. the filler elements being glidably supported in said spaces in respect of the abutments; and

3. then sliding the superstructure into a position wherein respective ones of the superstructure portions enter said spaces,

a. the filler elements being progressively pushed out of said spaces as the superstructure is slid into the supported position on the abutments.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the filler elements have recesses facing the abutments and provide a cover over the recesses, comprising the step of building supports for the superstructure on the abutments within said recesses before the filler elements are pushed out of said spaces.

- 3. A prefabricated abutment for use in the construction of a wide underpass beneath a road, comprising an elongated structural body having two side walls defining a cavity passing from one end to the other end of the side walls, pointed end portions extending from one end of the side walls, and a removable filler element occupying a space above the cavity extending from one end to the other end of the side walls.

4. The prefabricated abutment of claim 3, wherein the structural body has four mutually perpendicular walls including the vertical side walls defining the cavity, an upper horizontal one of the walls defining a rectangular notch forming the space.

5. The prefabricated abutment of claim 4, wherein a slot extends between the filler element and the notched wall, and further comprising a protective sheet mounted over the slot.

6. The prefabricated abutment of claim 3, wherein the filler element is a U-shaped element standing on its two legs.

7. The prefabricated abutment of claim 6, wherein the structural body has two upstanding arms constituting the side walls and defining the cavity therebetween, the two legs of the U-shaped filler element being supported on the two upstanding arms of the structural body.

8. The prefabricated abutment of claim 6, wherein the space is of substantially rectangular cross section and has a support surface wherein the two legs of the U-shaped filler element are supported.

9. The prefabricated abutment of claim 3, wherein the filler element comprises a series of adjacently positioned members.

10. The prefabricated abutment of claim 3, further comprising anti-friction means for facilitating the sliding removal of the filler element from said space, the said means being arranged between the filler element and the structural body. 

1. A method for the construction of a wide underpass beneath a road over which traffic may continue to flow, comprising the steps of
 1. forcing at least two abutments in spaced apart relationship into the ground beneath the road, a. each abutment defining a space for support of portions of a superstructure bridging the abutments;
 2. simultaneously forcing into the ground filler elements occupying said abutment spaces, a. the filler elements being glidably supported in said spaces in respect of the abutments; and
 3. then sliding the superstructure into a position wherein respective ones of the superstructure portions enter said spaces, a. the filler elements being progressively pushed out of said spaces as the superstructure is slid into the supported position on the abutments.
 2. simultaneously forcing into the ground filler elements occupying said abutment spaces, a. the filler elements being glidably supported in said spaces in respect of the abutments; and
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the filler elements have recesses facing the abutments and provide a cover over the recesses, comprising the step of building supports for the superstructure on the abutments within said recesses before the filler elements are pushed out of said spaces.
 3. then sliding the superstructure into a position wherein respective ones of the superstructure portions enter said spaces, a. the filler elements being progressively pushed out of said spaces as the superstructure is slid into the supported position on the abutments.
 3. A prefabricated abutment for use in the construction of a wide underpass beneath a road, comprising an elongated structural body having two side walls defining a cavity passing from one end to the other end of the side walls, pointed end portions extending from one end of the side walls, and a removable filler element occupying a space above the cavity extending from one end to the other end of the side walls.
 4. The prefabricated abutment of claim 3, wherein the structural body has four mutually perpendicular walls including the vertical side walls defining the cavity, an upper horizontal one of the walls defining a rectangular notch forming the space.
 5. The prefabricated abutment of claim 4, wherein a slot extends between the filler element and the notched wall, and further comprising a protective sheet mounted over the slot.
 6. The prefabricated abutment of claim 3, wherein the filler element is a U-shaped element standing on its two legs.
 7. The prefabricated abutment of claim 6, wherein the structural body has two upstanding arms constituting the side walls and defining the cavity therebetween, the two legs of the U-shaped filler element being supported on the two upstanding arms of the structural body.
 8. The prefabricated abutment of claim 6, wherein the space is of substantially rectangular cross section and has a support surface wherein the two legs of the U-shaped filler element are supported.
 9. The prefabricated abutment of claim 3, wherein the filler element comprises a series of adjacently positioned members.
 10. The prefabricated abutment of claim 3, further comprising anti-friction means for facilitating the sliding removal of the filler element from said space, the said means being arranged between the filler element and the structural body. 